Abstract This paper focuses on the process of mentally disordered offenders in the criminal justice system. Offenders who possess mental illness have a unique set of circumstances and needs which will be discussed in this paper. The elements examined in this paper are based in the process of offenders with mental illness and the needed treatment. The elements include the offenders with mental illness, the different type of treatment, issues concerning their treatment, the mental health courts, and the expansion of mental health courts for juveniles suffering from mental illness.
Keywords: Treatment, Mental Illness, Mental Health Court Mental Health Courts: Treatment for Mental Ill Offenders in the Criminal Justice System Mental illness …show more content…
First, not guilty by reason of insanity, not being responsible for an offense when they had a mental disorder at the time of their criminal act. Second, mentally ill offenders are incompetent to stand trial. Third, they are mentally disordered sex offenders. And fourth, the phrase mentally disordered inmates is referred back to mentally disordered offenders that have been sentenced to serve time in prison or in the community (Sun, 2010, p. 71). Screening, evaluations, psychiatric, medical and special treatment, rehabilitation, and case management are all available services for mentally ill offenders that are in custody or in the community. Providing treatment for mentally ill offenders reduces the risk of violence and helps ease mental disorders through interventions and treatment (Sun, 2010, pp. …show more content…
A mental health court focuses on assigning the offender with a treatment plan the decision is made by court staff and mental health professionals. Mental health courts are designed for participates who suffer from serious mental illness and at times they consider individuals with a broader condition such as traumatic brain injuries. The main goal of mental courts is treatment, help reduce criminal behavior, public safety, and to improve the quality life mental ill offenders (2015). Juveniles who are given the chance to go through the process of a health court start at an early stage with the benefits of treatment and counseling and at the end have a more productive outcome. As to waiting for them to become adults it might be too late for the treatment to work. According to Mental Health Courts: A Primer for Policymakers and Practitioners (2015), the benefits adults with mental illness receive from health court are the same benefits juveniles would receive. However, juveniles must address extra challenges which are as follows: identify issues that affect cognition behavior and the effectiveness of mental treatment, work with parents, involvement in education or foster care systems
Keywords: Treatment, Mental Illness, Mental Health Court Mental Health Courts: Treatment for Mental Ill Offenders in the Criminal Justice System Mental illness …show more content…
First, not guilty by reason of insanity, not being responsible for an offense when they had a mental disorder at the time of their criminal act. Second, mentally ill offenders are incompetent to stand trial. Third, they are mentally disordered sex offenders. And fourth, the phrase mentally disordered inmates is referred back to mentally disordered offenders that have been sentenced to serve time in prison or in the community (Sun, 2010, p. 71). Screening, evaluations, psychiatric, medical and special treatment, rehabilitation, and case management are all available services for mentally ill offenders that are in custody or in the community. Providing treatment for mentally ill offenders reduces the risk of violence and helps ease mental disorders through interventions and treatment (Sun, 2010, pp. …show more content…
A mental health court focuses on assigning the offender with a treatment plan the decision is made by court staff and mental health professionals. Mental health courts are designed for participates who suffer from serious mental illness and at times they consider individuals with a broader condition such as traumatic brain injuries. The main goal of mental courts is treatment, help reduce criminal behavior, public safety, and to improve the quality life mental ill offenders (2015). Juveniles who are given the chance to go through the process of a health court start at an early stage with the benefits of treatment and counseling and at the end have a more productive outcome. As to waiting for them to become adults it might be too late for the treatment to work. According to Mental Health Courts: A Primer for Policymakers and Practitioners (2015), the benefits adults with mental illness receive from health court are the same benefits juveniles would receive. However, juveniles must address extra challenges which are as follows: identify issues that affect cognition behavior and the effectiveness of mental treatment, work with parents, involvement in education or foster care systems